Although Carolyn and I already have our tickets purchased for the Harry Potter Exhibition, I couldn’t turn down my friend Owen’s invitation to a preview reception of the exhibition, which opens October 23. Seattle is the exhibit’s one and only West Coast stop, as well as its final U.S. destination. Very Important Muggles received a special invitation for the preview, and were asked to RSVP by e-mail, phone, or owl. The invite instructed people to “dress to impress,” which left room for interpretation. Personally, it meant dressing up in my finest Hogwarts garb, which is an old handmade Slytherin cape and hand-knit scarf. Sadly, the cape is in its final days, with seams beginning to gape open. It looks like a Weasley hand-me-down. I will say that I was not the only person wearing a Hogwarts cape…but I won’t disclose the age of the other costumed guests.

I’ll give a more detailed account of my visit when I have more time, but I’m so excited that I wanted to at least write a little something to pique the curiosity of my fellow Harry Potheads.